Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

[surftrish]

This is the plan. I have a Mazda 626 v6 automatic transmission. I just bought a 1976 15' arrowglass w/ 50 hp Johnson o/b--boat, motor & engine approx. 1500 lbs. I've towed the boat but haven't put it in the water yet. From storage lot to the boat ramp is less than a mile and all on a quiet residential street.<br />The ramp isn't a huge incline but I think is partially dirt. Am I going to have a problem pulling the boat out of the water? I don't want to cause a scene with spinning tires, smoke, ect. Would I be better off with a steeper concrete ramp--also close to storage (but charges $$)?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

Hi surftrish <br /><br />You're not too bad off with the Mazda. A boat your size can easily be towed with that and the auto trans only makes it easier.<br /><br />When pulling up ramps the important thing is tracktion. If there is dirt or anything else preventing the tires from getting a good grip, no amount of power will help.<br /><br />With the automatic you can fairly easy find a point of making it move without spinning.<br /><br />Keep in mind that the up-ramp pull should be made in one smooth movement. This way it's done in the shortest time causing the less stress to the car. <br /><br />While on flat road pull at the speed where the car runs smooth. Not flat out and not too low rpm. It has the highest torque (217 Nm) at 4800 rpm, so locking it one gear lower might please it.<br /><br />In Europe your car is rated for trailers of max 1.5 tons with brakes.

 

[my new fishmaster]

Re: Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

You need to find a nice 4cyl Tj wrangler 97-2003 they are inexpensive and you can tow that boat no problem even fish off the beach dude.

 

[Down South]

Re: Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

Towing the boat should not be a problem. The dirt at the boat ramp might be, depending. The incline as you mentioned for one. Most of all if it's wet or not. Of course the only real way to find out is to try it. I'd carry a chain or nylon strap with me just in case. Help is usually readily available if you have the chain or strap for someone to hook to to give you a little pull.<br /><br />If the cost of the launch at the concrete ramp isn't outrageous then you might be better off there.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Cast-Away]

Re: Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

Check the tongue weight of your trailer. It should only be between 5 to 7% of the total weight of boat, motor, trailer and fuel. I had the exact same problem with my 626 and 1500 lb boat last year! My tongue weight was 190 lbs. I adjusted it back to 100 lbs and now have no problem. I took the boat to a boat ramp and kept adjusting the distance from the boat to the winch and checking the weight on a bathroom scale until it was correct.

 

[Coork Johnson]

Re: Don't laugh--towing with a Mazda 626

What year is your Mazda ? Towing will void your warranty ! The manual states that towing with this vechicle is a no no.